re: no subject

Sara, I think they are similar for the following reasons: 1)Raskolnikov and Holden both notice details more than those around them and they are both paranoid 2)the Superman Theory--both believe they are extraordinary people, meant to help save mankind, but by the end of the book they learn that what they do is for more selfish reasons 3)nihilism and existentialism--remember mr. antolini? (better to live humbly etc.) a nihilist would just give up and commit suicide (like Svidrigailov in C+P) but an existentialist believes you can create meaning for yourself in life through your actions (like mr. antolini tells holden to do) That's the best i can do off the top of my head, it's been a year since i read Catcher. But I hope that helps you a little.